Does an employer have to pay a fee to apply for an LMIA?
Yes. Most LMIA applications require the employer to pay a processing fee to Service Canada at the time of application. The fee is per position applied for — so if an employer wants to hire two foreign workers, two fees are required.
The fee amount is set by the federal government and is subject to change; employers should verify the current fee on the Service Canada website before applying. Some exemptions or waivers apply in specific circumstances, such as certain agricultural worker streams, caregivers, or positions that fall under programs with reduced fees.
The LMIA fee is not refundable even if the application is refused. This makes it important to submit a well-prepared application the first time, because a refusal means the employer bears the cost without getting the benefit.
The employer is not permitted to transfer the cost of the LMIA fee to the foreign worker. Passing this fee on to the worker — directly or indirectly — is prohibited under federal law and can result in the employer being found non-compliant and banned from the Temporary Foreign Worker Program.
Key takeaways
- LMIA applications require a non-refundable per-position fee paid by the employer.
- Verify the current fee on the Service Canada website before submitting.
- Some agricultural and caregiver streams have reduced or waived fees.
- Passing the fee cost to the foreign worker is prohibited and can result in program bans.